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Michael Cheika has made a number of key changes for the Wallabies side to face South Africa this Saturday, with Melbourne Rebels utility Reece Hodge set to make his run-on debut for Australia on the wing, and Dean Mumm added to the side at blindside flanker.
Mumm replaces ACT Brumbies back-rower Scott Fardy, who has been dropped from the Wallabies game-day squad for the first time since the side’s Rugby World Cup clash against Uruguay last year.
Keeping Fardy off the Wallabies’ extended, nine-man bench are Brumbies teammate Rory Arnold and Rebels duo Sean McMahon and Lopeti Timani. Timani’s chances of a first international cap were resting on whether Cheika opted for a six-two or five-three forwards/backs split on his bench.
Unfortunately for the Melbourne second-rower, Cheika decided in favour of the latter, announcing on Friday that Timani was the unlucky man to miss out on the final cut.
BENCH CONFIRMED: Polota-Nau, Slipper, Alalaatoa, Arnold, McMahon, Phipps, Kuridrani and Mitchell #AUSvRSA #StrongerAsOne
— Qantas Wallabies (@qantaswallabies) September 9, 2016
For the first time this year, Cheika has opted to keep his second-row combination the same for consecutive matches, with Adam Coleman and Kane Douglas both named to start after being part of the run-on side which lost the most recent Bledisloe Cup encounter with the All Blacks 29-9 in New Zealand.
There was no room for experienced lock Rob Simmons, despite the Wallabies’ recent lineout woes.
In the backline, Cheika opted against rushing experienced winger Drew Mitchell back into the side to replace Adam Ashley-Cooper, who has flown back to France. Mitchell, who is yet to make an appearance in the green and gold this season, had been struggling with a groin injury, but had proved his fitness during a rigorous training session on Tuesday.
He has instead been named on the bench.
Preferred over Mitchell was Hodge, who impressed observers with a strong display during his debut off the bench for the Wallabies against New Zealand during Bledisloe II.
The rest of the backline remained unchanged, with Cheika deciding to give Quade Cooper and Bernard Foley another chance as the side’s fly-half/inside-centre combination.
Samu Kerevi has kept his place at outside-centre, with Israel Folau once again named to start at fullback and Dane Haylett-Petty on the wing.
Wallabies team to play South Africa
1. Scott Sio (20 Tests)
2. Stephen Moore (c) (107 Tests)
3. Sekope Kepu (68 Tests)
4. Kane Douglas (25 Tests)
5. Adam Coleman (2 Tests)
6. Dean Mumm (48 Tests)
7. Michael Hooper (56 Tests)
8. David Pocock (58 Tests)
9. Will Genia (68 Tests)
10. Quade Cooper (59 Tests)
11. Reece Hodge (1 Test)
12. Bernard Foley (32 Tests)
13. Samu Kerevi (3 Tests)
14. Dane Haylett-Petty (5 Tests)
15. Israel Folau (43 Tests)Reserves (one to be omitted)
16. Tatafu Polota-Nau (66 Tests)
17. James Slipper (79 Tests)
18. Allan Alaalatoa (2 Tests)
19. Rory Arnold (2 Tests)
20. Sean McMahon (9 Tests)
21. Nick Phipps (44 Tests)
22. Tevita Kuridrani (36 Tests)
23. Drew Mitchell (70 Tests)
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.